Cinnamon

 

What is. Cinnamon is a small tree, the brown bark of the cinnamon tree, which when dried, rolls into a tubular form known as a quill. Cinnamon is available in either its whole quill form (cinnamon sticks) or as ground powder. It's one of the oldest known spices. The characteristic flavor and aroma of cinnamon comes from a compound in the essential oil of the bark called cinnamonaldehyde.

Native to: the cinnamon tree grows in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Egypt. While there are approximately one hundred varieties of Cinnamonum verum (the scientific name for cinnamon), Cinnamonum zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) and Cinnamomun aromaticum (Chinese cinnamon) are the leading varieties consumed. Ceylon cinnamon is also referred to as “true cinnamon”, while the Chinese variety is known as “cassia”. While both are relatively similar in characteristics and both feature a fragrant, sweet and warm taste, the flavour of the Ceylon variety is more refined, has a sweeter taste and subtle, it is more expensive. The quills are softer and can be easily ground in a coffee grinder. Ceylon cinnamon is sold in speciality stores. Cassia cinnamon has a darker colour and unlike Ceylon cinnamon, it can't be easily ground into a powder using a coffee grinder. Ceylon cinnamon is produced in Sri Lanka, India, Madagascar, Brazil and the Caribbean, while cassia is mainly produced in China, Vietnam and Indonesia.

History. Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices known. It was mentioned in the Bible and was used in ancient Egypt not only as a beverage flavouring and medicine, but also as an embalming agent. It was so highly treasured that it was considered more precious than gold. Cinnamon also received much attention in China, which is reflected in its mention in one of the earliest books on Chinese botanical medicine, dated around 2,700 B.C. Cinnamon’s popularity continued throughout history. It became one of the most relied upon spices in Medieval Europe. Due to its demand, cinnamon became one of the first commodities traded regularly between the Near East and Europe. Native use. Chinese medicine has used cinnamon for centuries as a natural remedy for its warming qualities to prevent or to provide relief when faced with the onset of a cold, coughs or flu, especially effective when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger.

Effects > 1/ Cinnamon has extremely high anti-oxidant activity. Has a place in the top list of antioxidants. 2/ Cinnamon has strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. 3/ Reducing blood sugar levels and treating Type 2 Diabetes. 4/ Lowering cholesterol. Recent studies have shown that consuming small amounts of cinnamon (1/2 t daily) can help reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad one). 5/ Cinnamon improve blood circulation, by the presence of a bloodthinning compound. Good blood circulation ensures oxyen supply to the cells, leading to higher metabolic activity and further protection against heart dis-ease. Also the heart can pump thinner blood easier than thick blood. 6/  Boosting memory and cognitive functions. (memory and learning). 7/ Blood purifyer. 8/ Good for heartfunctioning (due to its other effects: improved: circulation, cholesterol lowering, blood purification). 9/ Weigh management. Cinnamon can boost metabolism, since the body uses more energy to process the spice than it does for other foods. Cinnamon may have an insulin-like action in the body, which is seen in the way sugar is broken down in the body. Cinnamon can also improve body metabolism, targeting the fat deposited in the abdominal area. 10/ Treats yeast infections. Treats Candida. 11/ Preventing and curing common cold, coughs. Treats flu. 12/ Curing headaches and migraine pain. 13/ The cinnaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumbing of blood platelets. These are bloodcells that are meant to clumb together under emergency circumstances (like injury) as a way to stop bleeding, but under normal circumstances, they can make blood flow inadequate if they clump together too much. 14/ Help digestion. 15/ Treating diarrhea. 16/ Painrelief for toothache. 17/ Eliminating bad breath. 18/ Is used against skin infections. 19/ Against artritis and inflammation. Cinnamon's ability to lower the release of arachidonic acid from cell membranes also puts it in the category of an “anti-inflammatory” food that can be helpful in lessening inflammation. 20/ Anti parasite. 21/ Treats stomach ulcers. 22/ Treats head lice. 23/ Treats rheumatism. 24/ Relieves menstrual cramps. 25/ Added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative. 26/ Warming: In addition to the active components in its essential oils and its nutrient composition, cinnamon has also been valued in energy-based medical systems, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine, for its warming qualities. In these traditions, cinnamon has been used to provide relief when faced with the onset of a cold or flu, especially when mixed in a tea with some fresh ginger.  27/ Hair growth. Yokohama National University has suggested that a compound found in cinnamon – cinnamic acid – can have promising results to promote hair growth. Cinnamon is a versatile spice known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties make it an excellent choice for a hair fall remedy.

 

!NOTE > People taking diabetes medication or any medication that affects blood glucose or insulin levels shouldn't take therapeutic doses of cinnamon unless they're under a doctor's supervision. Taking them together may have an additive effect and cause blood glucose levels to dip too low. Since cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, caution should also be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning products such as aspirin. Cinnamon can also be found in a concentrated oil form that comes from cinnamon bark. Some of these products are not intended for consumption, but instead are used for scenting purposes, this oil is highly potent and an overdose can depress the central nervous system. Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus. Some recent studies in Europe have shown that cinnamon derived from the Cassia plant contains a toxic compound known as Coumarin. This compound is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations. Since the powdered cinnamon that we purchase in our supermarkets is typically derived from the Cassia plant, it is important to avoid consuming high doses of it (see how to use below). Coumarin can also have a "blood-thinning" effect, so cassia cinnamon supplements shouldn't be taken with prescription anti-clotting medication, such as Coumadin (warfarin), or by people with bleeding disorders.

How to use: 1/ in a glas jar > mix ¼ cup water with half (1/2) a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, shake the jar and drink, fill up with only water and drink (1x ½ t daily is a safe and suficient amound). Studies have shown that ½ teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol and also lower blood sugar levels. 2/ Cinnamon is also great to eat or drink mixed with water/tea or juice. For strongest effect > drink tea, juice or powder water mix on empty stomach for example after sleep, after training etc. and wait for one hour or more with other food/drinks to let the ingredient be able to work in your body. 3/ Home remedy for toothaches > make a paste using clay/xilitol mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Apply a small amount of this paste directly onto the aching tooth 2 or 3 times daily until the pain is relieved, if it don’t help go to the dentist. Honey with cinnamon in the morning before breakfast will treat arthrites pain after one week patients were able to walk (in a study at Copenhagen University). In Ayurveda (traditional Indian healing system, cinnamon is used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds, and it is often recommended for people with the kapha Ayurvedic type. It's a common ingredient in chai tea, and it is believed to improve the digestion of fruit, milk and other dairy products.

Rich in. Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, polyphenols and calcium. The essential oil contains: cinnamaldehyde cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol. The combination of calcium and fiber in cinnamon is important and can be helpful for the prevention of several conditions. Both calcium and fiber can bind to bile salts and help remove them from the body. By removing bile, fiber helps to prevent the damage that certain bile salts can cause to colon cells. In addition, when bile is removed by fiber, the body must break down cholesterol in order to make new bile. This process can help to lower high cholesterol levels. Research. 1/ In some studies cinnamon has shown an amazing abilty to stop medication-resitant yeast infections. 2/ Cinnamaldehyde (also called cinnamic aldehyde) has been well-researched for its effects on blood platelets. 3/ Several studies found that cinnamon have a regulatory effect on bloodsugar aming it especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetis and hypoglycemia. 4/ Specifically, cinnamon improved participants’ scores on tasks related to attentional processes, 4/ Cinnamon inhibited the growth of the foodborne pathogenic Bacillus cereus for at least 60 days. When the broth was refrigerated without the addition of cinnamon oil, the pathogenic B. cereus flourished despite the cold temperature.